"My Kindness Shall Not Depart from Thee!"

A week ago, Sunday the 24th, I got a call from my cousin Shayla telling me that her brother Chad had passed away early that morning. After many years of battling bipolar disease and schizophrenia Chad sank into a depression and took his own life away. I cried the moment she told me. My heart hurt for so many reasons. I love my cousin Chad. He has a sensitive heart and is so funny. Haha! I just think about his laugh and a typical joke he would crack and it makes me giggle. Even though his mind suffered disease, I always knew he had a good heart. He was a good person. Knowing him helped me to not be so quick to judge those I don't know. When I would see a stranger on the street who looked a little rough outside I would think about Chad and how great he really is and would not judge that person without knowing them. I hoped that people who didn't know Chad wouldn't judge him for being something he wasn't. 

While I don't fully understand everything about these situations, one thing I know for sure is that we have a loving Heavenly Father who knows our heart, our spirit and can see past all our imperfections or illnesses. This experience has taught me is to hold onto the relationships I have. To cherish and make memories with friends and loved ones. And after reading through some of Chaddy's journal entries, I have seen how important keeping a journal is. I am so motivated now to write down my feelings and experiences so that when I pass on my family will have greater insight into my life and have a little piece of me to hold onto.

 The entire Salcido side was able to come to Utah for the funeral this past weekend. It was wonderful to all be together. We've all been so close growing up and I love them all! 

My sisters and I + cousin's Haylee and Hannah sang "My Kindness Shall Not Depart from Thee" at the funeral and while it was really hard to sing through without bursting into tears, I was happy to sing that song for Chad, his parents and all his siblings. It is such a beautiful song with words taken from scripture about how the Lord is always mindful of us and will never forsake us. Here is the song...

 
So hold on thy way, 

For I shall be with thee. 

And mine angels shall encircle thee. 

Doubt not what thou knowest, 

Fear not man, for he 

Cannot hurt thee. 

And with everlasting kindness will I succor thee, 

And with mercy will I take thee ‘neath my wings. 

For the mountains shall depart, 

And the hills shall be removed, 

And the valleys shall be lost beneath the sea, 

But know, my child, 

My kindness shall not depart from thee!

I love you Chad!